The living history of idol professional broadcasts, "Weekly Idol Survival"

By Bit, Jung

May 27, 2025

The living history of idol professional broadcasts, 'Weekly Idol Survival'
Photo provided by MBC everyone



Idol-specialized variety shows have left for YouTube. As numerous programs featuring off-stage idols have shifted to web entertainment, broadcast-based idol entertainment is gradually losing ground.

However, in the meantime, there is still a program that has kept the sign of 'Idol Specialized Entertainment' on TV. MBC M and MBC Everyone's "Weekly Idol". For 14 years, he has been in charge of K-pop's 'weekly' like the name of the program.

First aired in 2011, 『Weekly Idol』 was the only entertainment platform that cheerfully showed the charm of K-pop stars even before idol-centered contents expanded explosively like now. In particular, signature corners such as 'Random Play Dance' and '2X Dance' served as a catalyst for the spread of global K-pop fandom and became a symbol of 'Idol Fan Entertainment'.




Producer Lee Yong-joon, who directed the show, said this to the modifier 'Idol entertainment legend'. "Similar contents are pouring in, but "Weekly Idol" has focused on showing not only idols on stage but also their talents and wit." In the midst of a flood of YouTube entertainment and its own digital content, it seems that the only TV entertainment for idols is Weekly Idol."

After finishing the season in December last year, Weekly Idol will return on June 6 after about six months of reorganization. From MC to format and planning in general, it is a 'complete reorganization'. Producer Lee "Weekly Idol' has also developed through a number of new attempts amid fast-changing times." We are not staying in the glory and system of the past, but we are continuing to think about becoming a better brand."

The living history of idol professional broadcasts, 'Weekly Idol Survival'
MONSTA X Minhyuk (left), CRAVITY Hyeongjun. Photo courtesy = Starship Entertainment
The starting point of this concern is revealed in the replacement of the MC. The hosts for the new season are MONSTA X's Minhyuk and CRAVITY's Hyungjun. The two, seniors and juniors of the agency Starship Entertainment, appear to be symbols of the fandom intersection that connects 'junior' and 'junior'.




As a strong senior, Minhyuk, a 10-year-old idol, is expected to be a pillar of comfort and stability while also holding the center. Hyungjun of CRAVITY is a rising star in the entertainment industry who has received love calls from various places. "I think we have the ability to make "Weekly Idol" shine even more through the chemistry of my brother from the same agency."

Another change is 'Closing the Distance to Viewers'. Starting this season, 'Open Audience' will be introduced to remove the closeness of existing studio recordings and expand 'Fieldness'. The plan is to open a stage where idols and fans communicate more closely.

The living history of idol professional broadcasts, 'Weekly Idol Survival'
Tuus (TWS) doing a 'random play dance". Captured footage of the broadcast of `Weekly Idol.'
Of course, there is not just change. Despite the variations that fit the trend, the value of the timeless format is maintained. The representative corner 'Random Play Dance' remains the same despite the change.




"These days, idol groups even practice separately for various 'challenge'." 'Random Play Dance' is the beginning of such challenge content. While maintaining the existing corner, I would like to further double the fun and interest through the changed composition. "'Random Play Dance' is like a rite of passage that any idol should try."

Recently, web entertainment programs such as 'Idol Human Theater', 'Idol Challenge', 'Dawn Star K', 'Dawn Star K' and 'Kenjangga' have emerged as the trend of idol content. Then, how can 'Weekly Idol' evolve within the traditional media of broadcasting. The PD defined the answer as 'steadiness'.

"Blood is different from short-lived digital entertainment according to fashion. Weekly Idol has kept the identity of broadcaster entertainment in the same place for a long time. The will to be faithful to the role, is our strength."

I acknowledge the fact that TV viewing time has decreased, but producer Lee said, `There is something that only broadcasting companies can do' did not dampen faith. In fact, "Weekly Idol" is still the broadcast entertainment that idols want to appear the most.

He made people look forward to the new season of "Weekly Idol", saying, "We try to reach out to viewers and fans with a composition and plan that everyone can sympathize with and look forward to."

The living history of idol professional broadcasts, 'Weekly Idol Survival'
Irit, Eunice, Cats Eye (from top). Capture 'Weekly Idol' broadcast screen
Once a textbook for idol entertainment, 'Weekly Idol' is now again becoming a coordinate that asks back the meaning of broadcast-based entertainment. Between familiarity and novelty, between fandom and broadcasting. The survival strategy found by 'Weekly Idol' is clear. Once a week, show the charms of an idol like the most idol group. As an identity, 'Weekly Idol' has been proving 'Weekly' survival for 14 years.

The living history of idol professional broadcasts, 'Weekly Idol Survival'
'Weekly Idol'Caption'CaptureScreenshot




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